Friday, August 29, 2008

Quest for the Shootout

AJ Allmendinger isn’t racing to the Chase. He does, however, have plenty at stake in the final 12 races.

Priority No. 1 is securing the No. 84 a spot in the top 35. He’s 13 points from that mark entering 500 long miles Sunday at Auto Club Speedway. No. 2 is gaining eligibility in the season-opening Shootout at Daytona.

Under format changes that NASCAR announced Tuesday, the top six teams from each manufacturer in the final 2008 car owner standings will run in the annual all-star race. It used to be that only the previous season’s pole winners and past event champions qualified, which rendered obsolete Brian Vickers’ recent Michigan pole. (It’s still a heck of an achievement.)

At 17th, Brian’s No. 83 is the fourth Toyota in line — safe and sound for the Shootout and well ahead of the No. 44 in 28th. AJ’s No. 84 is 36th — eighth of the Toyotas and only 52 points behind the No. 55 in sixth place.

AJ appears to be on his way to reaching both goals. He was third in Friday’s opening practice, with qualifying set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Brian was fifth on the sheet.

Allmendinger uncertain of driving plans for next season: Red Bull Racing's #84-AJ Allmendinger is still uncertain about whether he will return to his Sprint Cup team next season. The driver has previously stated he'd like to stay with the group, but he says he continues to wait to hear from the team. "Phone is silent as can be from their end," he said. " … I've stated I'd like to be back next year, but I just want an answer. I need to know I'm racing somewhere next year." Almendinger and his team are outside the top 35 in the owner standings, though they have been on the line of making that field and were in it for one week. Allmendinger says that the team has improved to the level where he expects top finishes week to week.(SceneDaily.com)(8-30-2008) Comment here

grrrrrr why the f is this still an issue!!!!!! What more does he need to do? Maybe he will win this weekend---and we can be done with this bullshizz

I agree. I honestly thought they would've re-signed AJ by now. I was patient about it last month, but now we're entering September and still no word. Red Bull is starting to piss me off too, it's unprofessional. I hope AJ keeps bugging them about it.

Oh and BV was great on Trackside last night. For those who missed it, I taped his segment and I'll export it onto YouTube later today.

Facts are facts. AJ and the 84 crew have made HUGE improvements this year. Especially since Jimmy came along. They have had outstanding qualifying and race runs, and not to knock on BV, but AJ has their only Cup win. Sure, it was the Sprint Showdown, but look at the cars he beat. 83, 6, 9, 38, etc. Those aren't slack operations.

I've been very patient with this for the longest time now, but I'm afraid it's over with. Either re-sign the guy or let him go. AJ needs to know as soon as possible.

If AJ is consistant, THEN he deserves a ride next year. If and only if. Thats what they're looking for I'm sure. Vickers has proven he can do so and now its AJ's turn to prove he can. Sure he can do well in qualifying or finish top 10 some weeks, but I think what they're looking for is whether he can deliver on a week to week basis. He doesn't have to set the world on fire, but racing top 10, crashing, racing top 10, crashing.... owners don't like that. Not knocking AJ, I think he's done great considering what a huge transition he's made ...and made work well. I hope he continues to run up front and keeps his seat next season.

I think Red Bull big whigs in Austria don't understand Nascar yet and don't realize that they are hurting AJ..or they just don't care. Drivers have to know by September if they have to change teams. Owners are now scrambling around looking for drivers and don't wait until October to find a driver. Its now!! If owners don't know if AJ is a free agent, then how can they offer him a driving position. He will be left out in the cold if they don't make up their minds soon. How in the world they could let a talent like AJ go, is beyond me. But, if they are going to be stupid enough to let him go, then, do it now so AJ can look for another ride. He will be snapped up in a minute. If he does go somewhere else, I'm hoping that they give him more seat time such as Red Bull is doing for their weird/strange Scott Speed. More seat time..better results. And, by the way...Scott Speed may be doing well in ARCA and Trucks, but, he's a big fish in a little pond. Not sure if he will be too big in a big pond. (Remember the best drivers in the world are in the big pond).

I believe it was Guenther Steiner (ex- Red Bull Racing Team General Manager and VP) that didn't give AJ a good stock car racing development program. But that's behind us now because AJ is becoming one of the best drivers in the Cup ranks as we know it. 2009 will be his season. He just needs to get re-signed asap.

There's no reason to release AJ. The march the 84 has been making in the owner points is outstanding. The chemistry is great. They're building great cars at the shop. They have a great talent driving the car. They have it all and they're improving week after week.

The only conclusion is Red Bull is showing lack of commitment to their NASCAR program.